B:assmaster sound without the price/real estate.

Pearl_jammin · #1 01-05-2009, 07:09 AM

I want a glitchy, synthy fuzz. I run Line 6 Gearbox for recording at the moment and love the fuzz based on the B:assmaster. But I also love small pedalboards and currently waiting for a Pedaltrain Mini to arrive which has limited space left, and the assmaster looks quite big.

What are my other options? Prunes and Custard looks a bit smaller, is it similar tonally? Any other small synthy fuzz?

Cheers for any help
PJ.

vegas532 · #2 01-05-2009, 07:25 AM

The Prunes and Custard is a unique circuit that sounds really great but it's way different. The closest thing that I know of would be a Prescription Electronics Depth Charge, but it just doesn't have the severity of the B:Assmaster.

I still love that pedal.

**grygrx** · #3 01-05-2009, 07:48 AM

There was the "Black Cat Bass Octave Fuzz" which was a Brassmaster clone, never used one though.

Jared Lash · #4 01-05-2009, 07:50 AM

Hmm.

I wouldn't call the B:Assmaster "synthy". But there are a couple other clones of the Maestro Brassmaster. As mentioned, there's the Depth Charge which I find to be a lot "buzzier" or "fizzier" that the Malekko. It's a "can of bees" type fuzz if that's what you're looking for. The Black Cat Octave Fuzz is (I believe) another Maestro clone but I haven't tried it myself.

Most would describe the MXR Blowtorch as synthy, but not glitchy. It's not much smaller than the Assmaster though and personally I hated it.

The Chunk Brown Dog can definitely do synthy fuzz (and a bunch of other fuzz sounds) but again, it would save you some pedalboard space compared to the Assmaster but not a ton.

The Subdecay Flying Tomato can do glitchy and synthy though it was a bit thin/nasally for my tastes.

I've been intrigued (and nearly pulled the trigger on) a Mid-Fi Peace Gun Fuzz but I have no idea how well it would work on bass.

I'm forgetting a bunch but I'll post again if I remember. (I haven't even had my coffee yet)

EDIT: I'm too slow on the trigger - grygrx beat me to the Black Cat while I was typing.

markjazzbassist · #5 01-05-2009, 08:47 AM

the malekko really isn't THAT big. so check the dimensions and how much space you have left.

the prunes and custard is a different pedal, but it is more synthy. so that would be a better bet if you're looking for synthy fuzz.

katri · #6 01-05-2009, 09:21 AM

+1 it looks bigger than it is, and sounds great too

brandau · #7 01-05-2009, 09:28 AM

Zvex woolly mammoth is pretty synthy. It has all kinds of industrial sounds plus it has a gate, so you can make it choke and freak out. Its a small guy too

Chronicle · #8 01-05-2009, 09:32 AM

Pretty much any Devi Ever Fuzz can do some crazy synth-like fuzz. My BIT can do it with some nice NES-breakup

I believe there are more bassmaster clones out there though. Forgot the names...

rosstanium · #9 01-05-2009, 09:34 AM

yes. the woolly mammoth can almost get that square-wave sound when you dime the pinch knob. very small box too.

also, if you dig the B:assmaster sound, you can get it in a smaller box with the Depth Charge. As fate would have it, I'm selling mine. PM me if you're interested.

TaySte_2000 · #10 01-05-2009, 09:37 AM

Don't forget about the Depth Charge but don't take this as a recommendation to get one

Jared Lash · #11 01-05-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

Don't forget about the Depth Charge but don't take this as a recommendation to get one

Losing your touch Steve. The Depth Charge was already mentioned at least three times.

As an edit to my earlier post: I got an email back from Doug at Mid-Fi, the Peace Gun won't work with active pickups.

I may buy one for my guitar player anyway.

rcubed · #12 01-05-2009, 11:48 AM

I was going to try to fit my Brassmaster clone into a Nano-sized enclosure but it can't fit when you include the jacks, pots and power supply adapter. You'd have to do a surface mount component board for it to work. But I think I can fit it in a smaller box than the B:Assmaster.

TaySte_2000 · #13 01-05-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Losing your touch Steve. The Depth Charge was already mentioned at least three times.

I only see once but still dammit

MSTRKRFT · #14 01-07-2009, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandau

Zvex woolly mammoth is pretty synthy. It has all kinds of industrial sounds plus it has a gate, so you can make it choke and freak out. Its a small guy too

+ 1.000.000.000

katri · #15 01-07-2009, 06:47 AM

Cool user name. MSTRKRFT are great.
But the wooly mammoth is smaller but not cheaper.

RCCollins · #16 01-07-2009, 09:33 AM

unless somebody can tell us about the black cat, i think the answer is: none exists.

I have often wished for the same thing, but ya know what? My pink assmaster is pretty much UNBEATABLE. It is NOT only for over the top. It is pure bitchen.

katri · #17 01-07-2009, 09:35 AM

RC is right, nothing is quite the same. And yes the pink Assmasters do sound bitchin

MSTRKRFT · #18 01-07-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katri

Cool user name. MSTRKRFT are great.
But the wooly mammoth is smaller but not cheaper.

Thnx... yeah, they're cool...
No its, not cheaper - but it's really worth it...!

rcubed · #19 01-07-2009, 04:39 PM

It's cheap when you build your own.

**grygrx** · #20 01-07-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

unless somebody can tell us about the black cat, i think the answer is: none exists.

I have often wished for the same thing, but ya know what? My pink assmaster is pretty much UNBEATABLE. It is NOT only for over the top. It is pure bitchen.

I loaned 8 fuzz pedals to a local bass player to audition this last weekend. I spoke with him the other night and his favorite by far was the Malekko Pink Double Germ I have. He asked if I would sell it to him, and I laughed and laughed and laughed.